Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC)

Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC)

Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC) is a disorder that develops before birth is evident at birth and involves limited mobility of many (multiple) joints. The range of motion of the joints in the arms and legs is usually limited or fixed. The impairment of joint mobility in AMC is often accompanied by overgrowth of fibrous tissue in the joints with further immobilization of the joints (fibrous ankylosis). The mechanisms responsible for AMC are thought to include: neurologic deficits, muscle defects, connective tissue and skeletal defects, fetal crowding or fetal constraint, and maternal neuromuscular diseases. Arthrogryposis means crooking of the joint. It comes from the Greek “arthro-“, joint + “gryposis”, crooking. Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita can be translated (very roughly) as “lots of crooked joints at birth.” Treatment has a lot to offer and involves both surgery and physical therapy.